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Gas Prices Are Spiking Again — Here's How to Protect Your Wallet as the Iran Conflict Escalates

  Published July 20, 2026 If it feels like you're filling up more often for the same money lately, you're not imagining it. Oil markets jolted higher to start the week, and Canadian drivers are almost certain to see it at the pump in the next few days. What just happened Brent crude — the global benchmark that drives Canadian gas pricing — jumped nearly 4% on Monday to trade above US$90 a barrel, its highest level since mid-June, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near US$84. The move came after the United States and Iran escalated hostilities over the weekend, including strikes on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil facility in Kuwait. That strait matters enormously to your gas bill: roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes through it. When shipping through it slows or stalls, traders price in a "risk premium" almost immediately — and that shows up at Canadian pumps within days, not weeks. What it mea...

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Australia Decides: Voters Head to the Polls in Pivotal Election

Australians are casting their votes today in a national election that could shape the country’s future for years to come. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party is facing off against the conservative opposition led by Peter Dutton, with key issues such as cost-of-living pressures, affordable housing, and energy policy dominating the campaign.

Polling stations opened early across the country, with voters lining up to make their voices heard. Both major parties have focused on economic concerns, but global uncertainty—particularly the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies—has played a significant role in shaping voter sentiment.

Albanese, seeking a second term, has emphasized his government’s achievements, including rising wages and declining inflation. Meanwhile, Dutton has promised to cut government spending and reduce immigration, positioning himself as a strong alternative to Labor’s leadership.

With opinion polls showing a tight race, the outcome remains uncertain. As ballots are counted, Australians await the results that will determine the nation’s direction in the coming years.

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